Blue Jays' Cavan Biggio designated for assignment, Spencer Horwitz recalled

Toronto Blue Jays utility man and roster mainstay Cavan Biggio was designated for assignment, the team announced on Friday.

The move made room for first baseman and designated hitter Spencer Horwitz, who was recalled from triple-A Buffalo for the weekend series against the Oakland Athletics.

Biggio still had options left on his contract but was a player with five years of service time in the majors. Therefore, he would've had to consent to an option, which he presumably did not, per Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

"Tough conversation obviously with Cavan," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said on Friday. "For a guy that we've all known, myself included, for a long time. Hoping that he gets a chance to land on his feet and play more."

He is currently batting a career-low .200 this season with two home runs and nine RBIs in 44 games played.

The 29-year-old played 490 games with the Blue Jays since being called up in 2019. He owns a .227 batting average with 48 home runs, 176 RBIs and 32 stolen bases over his six seasons in the majors.

He was last sent down to Buffalo in the 2022 season, playing 10 games with the triple-A ballclub.

"He wasn't playing a whole lot," Schneider said in regards to the rationale behind DFA-ing Biggio. "Just us trying to take a different route with our roster and how we're kinda constructed and the potential for a bit more offence with Spence.

"Nothing Cavan did wrong. ... He's been a really good major league player for a number of years and he's going to continue to be that. I think it was more so where we want to go with our roster right now."

Horwitz, meanwhile, has been on a tear for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons this season, slashing .335/.456/.514. Over his last six games, he has 12 hits in 21 at-bats, including five doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs.

A 24th-round pick of the Blue Jays in 2019, Horwitz is currently ranked among the offensive leaders in the International League — where the Bisons play — in a number of categories. He leads the league in doubles, ranks second in on-base percentage and fourth in batting average and walks.

"Hopefully he's here to help the offence," Schneider said. "I think with Spence you'll see him at first base, second base, some DH at-bats maybe. But comfortable with the reps he's done at second in Buffalo and we all know he can play first."

The 26-year-old has spent time at second base recently with Buffalo and has logged 87 innings at the position this season. While he has primarily played first base, Horwitz has also played 22 innings in left field.

Horwitz made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays in 2023, picking up 10 hits in 39 at-bats, including two doubles and one home run. He appeared in 15 games.